Flexible lines for air conditioners used in enclosure cooling

ABSTRACT

One aspect provides an air conditioner, including a compressor; a condenser; an evaporator; and one or more flexible lines connecting two or more of the compressor, condenser, and the evaporator to place them into fluid communication with one another. Other aspects include a method of providing flexible lines for an air conditioner as well as kits relating thereto.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 63/118,500, having the same title and filed on Nov. 25, 2020,the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entiretyherein.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to enclosure cooling systemsand related techniques. Some of the subject matter disclosed hereinrelates to a cooling system that is mounted to the side of an enclosureand used for cooling items within the enclosure, such as heat generatingcomponents in the telecommunications industry.

Industry and manufacturing have emerged with the widespread use ofenclosures for a variety of content, for example electronics or otheritems that require protection from the elements as well as cooling. Toprotect these items from harsh environments, they are typically placedin sealed enclosures, cabinets or workstations that permit efficientoperation without the threat of being exposed to exterior contaminatesincluding dust, residue, rain and liquids that have the potential tocause serious damage. Since the items (such as electronics used in thetelecommunications industry or like equipment) often generate heatwithin the enclosure, various cooling equipment such as airconditioners, heat exchangers, in-line compressed air coolers andfiltered fan systems are used to maintain required operatingtemperatures within the enclosure.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In summary, one embodiment provides an air conditioner, comprising: acompressor; a condenser; an evaporator; and one or more flexible linesconnecting two or more of the compressor, condenser, and the evaporatorto place them into fluid communication with one another.

Another embodiment provides a method including: providing one or morefittings to one or more of a compressor, a condenser and an evaporatorof an air conditioner; and providing one or more flexible lines to placethe one or more of the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporatorinto fluid communication with a respective other of the compressor, thecondenser, and the evaporator.

A further embodiment provides a kit, comprising: a set of one or moreflexible lines; and one or more fittings attachable to one or more of:(a) the one or more flexible lines; and (b) a component of an airconditioner.

An embodiment provides an air conditioner that utilizes one or moreflexible lines, such as a rubber flexible line that connects or couplesvarious internal components of the air conditioner. For example, anembodiment uses flexible rubber lines for suction and discharge lines ofan air conditioner unit. In an embodiment, use of such line(s) increasesthe durability of the air conditioner and makes manufacturing andservicing of the air conditioner units easier.

An embodiment includes an air conditioner, comprising a first element; asecond element; and a line connecting the first and second element toplace them into fluid communication with one another; wherein the lineis formed of a flexible material.

The air conditioner may include a line having flexible materialcomprising rubber.

The air conditioner may include a line having flexible materialcomprising insulated rubber.

The air conditioner may include a line that includes a fitting at leastat one end.

A fitting of the flexible line may be complementary to a fitting of oneor more of the first element and the second element of the airconditioner that are placed into fluid communication with one another.

A complementary fitting may be one of threaded and snapped on.

The flexible line may be connected to an element or component of the airconditioner via a mechanical mechanism or means such as a hose clamp.

In an embodiment, one or more flexible lines are formed as a suctionline, connecting an evaporator to a compressor, and a discharge line,connecting the compressor to a condenser.

An embodiment includes a method comprising: removing a copper tubingline connecting a first and second element of an air conditioner; andreplacing the copper tubing line with a flexible line to place the firstand second element into fluid communication with one another via theflexible line.

An embodiment includes a method comprising coupling a first and secondelement of an air conditioner with a flexible line to place the firstand second elements into fluid communication with one another via theflexible line.

In an embodiment, the coupling comprises applying or attaching one ormore fittings to one or more component to attach a flexible line havinga complimentary fitting in a releasable manner.

The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications,generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is notintended to be in any way limiting.

For a better understanding of the embodiments, together with other andfurther features and advantages thereof, reference is made to thefollowing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1-2 illustrate example views of an example air conditioner havingone or more flexible lines therein coupling components to be in fluidcommunication with one another.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, asgenerally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may bearranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations inaddition to the described example embodiments. Thus, the following moredetailed description of the example embodiments, as represented in thefigures, is not intended to limit the scope of the claims but is merelyrepresentative of those embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to “embodiment(s)” (or the like)means that a feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.Thus, appearances of the phrases “according to embodiments” or “in anembodiment” (or the like) in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are provided to give athorough understanding of example embodiments. One skilled in therelevant art will recognize, however, that aspects can be practicedwithout one or more of the specific details, or with other methods,components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures,materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoidobfuscation.

The description now turns to the figures, which illustrate certainexample embodiments. The dimensions and other numerical information, ifany, provided herein, including in the figures, are provided only by wayof example and are not limiting.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, embodiments are illustrated in which variousviews of an example flexible lines 102, 202, 103, 203 included in an airconditioner unit 101, 201 are provided. The views of FIGS. 1-2 areprovided showing examples of use of a flexible line or tubing 102, 202,103, 203 for transporting cooling fluid between components of airconditioning unit 101, 201. By way of example, an embodiment may includeflexible lining or tubing 102, 202, 103, 203 such as that available fromthe FLEXIN Group SRL, Via Rigosa, 54, 40069 Zola Predosa (BO), Italy.

As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment utilizes the flexible lining 102, 103to replace conventional lines or lining, which are typically fashionedfrom a solid or rigid material, e.g., copper tubing. This greatlydecreases the difficulty and expense of manufacture and maintenance whencompared to conventional approaches.

In an embodiment, one or more conventional lines, which may be made fromcopper in the form of tubing, piping or like, or similar material, arereplaced with flexible rubber tubing 102, 103 that is durable againstharsh environmental conditions with respect to temperature and humidityyet remain flexible such that these lines 102, 103 are easily decoupledfrom the associated units, e.g., a compressor.

In an embodiment, the flexible tubing 102, 103 has dimensions that aresuitable for conducting fluid such as cooling fluid or refrigerantbetween components or elements of an air conditioner 101. By way ofexample, air conditioner 101 may be used for enclosure coolingapplications, a portion of an enclosure wall is indicated at 100 of FIG.1, such as the Evolution Series of air conditioners available from IceQube, Inc. of Greensburg, Pa. This permits air conditioner 101 toprovide cooling airflow and/or exhaustion of heat from the enclosure,e.g., due to operating components therein. As will be appreciated fromviewing FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, air conditioner 101, 201 includes an ambientand enclosure side as well as various components located within ahousing.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, air conditioner 201 is illustrated without theenclosure wall 100 of FIG. 1 and the enclosure facing side of airconditioner 201 is rotated towards the viewer to be visible. Asindicated, an enclosure air outlet and inlet, collectively indicated at205, supply the enclosure with cooling air flow for closed loop coolingthereof, whereas the ambient side includes condenser (coils) 204.Likewise, ambient side inlets 206 and outlets are provided forcirculating ambient side air.

In the view of FIG. 1-2, flexible line 102, 202 may take the form of adischarge line connecting a condenser 104, 204 and compressor of airconditioner 101, 201. In the example of FIG. 1-2, flexible line 103, 203may take the form of a suction line connecting an evaporator andcompressor of air conditioner 101, 201.

In various embodiments, a flexible tubing or line 102, 103 is formedwith a fitting, an example of which is indicated at 106 of FIG. 1, thatis complementary to that of a component to which it to be attached. Forexample, a tubing 102, 103 may have a male or female connector part of afitting 106 that snaps into a complimentary connector part of a fitting106 on a component such as a compressor or condenser 104. As may beappreciated, various other attachment or coupling mechanisms or meansmay be utilized, e.g., complimentary threading, hose or tubing clampswhere the inner diameter of flexible tubing or line 102, 103 is largerthan a copper tubing, inlet or outlet diameter of a component, etc.

Fittings 106 of various embodiments may be shaped, e.g., straight,curved to form an approximately 90-degree elbow or curve, etc. Thisfacilitates easily joining the flexible line 102, 103 to variouscomponents within a tight space internal to air conditioning unit 101.

In an embodiment, one or more of the components to be coupled areconventional cooling lines, e.g., copper tubing. For example, a coppertubing line from a component may be coupled to another copper tubingline of a second component using a flexible line 102, 103. In such acase, a copper line or other conventional line may have a connector partof a fitting similar to fitting 106 or the tubing 102, 103 may beattached thereto using another mechanism, such as a hose clamp.Likewise, a hose claim may be used to attach the flexible tubing 102,103 to the copper tubing.

Referring to FIG. 3, a method is provided in which fitting(s) such as106 is/are provided 301. This allows tubing such as 102, 103 to beprovided 302. Thereafter, air conditioner 101, 201 may be operated 302using the components 102, 103, 106.

In an embodiment, the fitting(s) 106 and flexible tubing 102, 103 areapplied at time of manufacture. This approach may be chosen to limit thecost of manufacture, increase the durability of the unit and subcomponents, and make replacement or repair easier and more economical.

In an embodiment, the fitting(s) 106 and flexible tubing 102, 103 areused to replace existing, conventional tubing or lines, e.g., at time ofmaintenance. In such circumstances, an embodiment may include aretrofitting kit including one or more fittings such as fitting 106 thatis/are attachable to conventional tubing, e.g., copper tubing lines ofcomponents, to make the suitable for attachment to a flexible line 102,103. Similarly, a fitting such as fitting 106 may be used to directlycouple to an inlet or outlet of a component, e.g., by attachment of aconnector part of a fitting that is complementary to that supplied witha flexible tube 102, 103.

Referring to FIG. 4, an example device that may be used in implementingone or more embodiments includes a controller in the form of a computingdevice (computer) 400. For example, a computer 400 may be included in anembodiment, component thereof such as a control panel, and/or anothersystem (e.g., a tablet, laptop or desktop computer).

Computer 400 may execute program instructions or code configured tostore and process data and perform other functionality of theembodiments, e.g., operate an air conditioning unit or sub componentsthereof to cool an enclosure using set point(s) temperature(s).Components of computer 400 may include, but are not limited to, aprocessing unit 410, which may take a variety of forms such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a programmable circuit or other programmablehardware, a combination of the foregoing, etc., a system memorycontroller 440 and memory 450, and a system bus 422 that couples varioussystem components including the system memory 450 to the processing unit410. It is noted that in certain implementations, computer 400 may takea reduced or simplified form, such as a micro-control unit implementedin a control panel of an air conditioner, where certain of thecomponents of computer 400 are omitted or combined.

The computer 400 may include or have access to a variety ofnon-transitory computer readable media. The system memory 450 mayinclude non-transitory computer readable storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory devices such as read only memory(ROM) and/or random-access memory (RAM). By way of example, and notlimitation, system memory 450 may also include an operating system,application programs, other program modules, and program data. Forexample, system memory 450 may include application programs such asvariable speed control software and/or air conditioner operationalsoftware. Data may be transmitted by wired or wireless communication,e.g., to or from first device to another device, e.g., communicationbetween a remote device or system such as computer 400 and airconditioner 460, which itself may include a device like the computer 400in a reduced form, such as in the form of a control panel.

A user can interface with (for example, enter commands and information)the computer 400 through input devices such as a touch screen, keypad,etc. A monitor or other type of display screen or device may also beconnected to the system bus 422 via an interface, such as an interface430. The computer 400 may operate in a networked or distributedenvironment using logical connections to one or more other remotecomputers or databases. The logical connections may include a network,such local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) but may alsoinclude other networks/buses.

It should be noted that various functions described herein may beimplemented using processor executable instructions stored on anon-transitory storage medium or device. A non-transitory storage devicemay be, for example, an electronic, electromagnetic, or semiconductorsystem, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. More specific examples of a non-transitory storage mediuminclude the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a solid-state drive, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document“non-transitory” media includes all media except non-statutory signalmedia.

Program code embodied on a non-transitory storage medium may betransmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited towireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitablecombination of the foregoing.

Program code for carrying out operations may be written in anycombination of one or more programming languages. The program code mayexecute entirely on a single device, partly on a single device, as astand-alone software package, partly on single device and partly onanother device, or entirely on the other device. In some cases, thedevices may be connected through any type of connection or network,including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), apersonal area network (PAN) or the connection may be made through otherdevices (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider), through wireless connections, or through a hard wireconnection, such as over a USB or another power and data connection.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to the figures,which illustrate various example embodiments. It will be understood thatthe actions and functionality may be implemented at least in part byprogram instructions. These program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a device to produce a special purpose machine, such thatthe instructions, which execute via a processor of the device implementthe functions/acts specified.

It is worth noting that while specific elements are illustrated in thefigures, and a particular ordering or organization of elements or stepshas been illustrated, these are non-limiting examples. In certaincontexts, two or more elements or steps may be combined into anequivalent element or step, an element or step may be split into two ormore equivalent elements or steps, or certain elements or steps may bere-ordered or re-organized or omitted as appropriate, as the explicitillustrated examples are used only for descriptive purposes and are notto be construed as limiting.

As used herein, the singular “a” and “an” may be construed as includingthe plural “one or more” unless clearly indicated otherwise.

This disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art. The example embodiments were chosen and described in orderto explain principles and practical application, and to enable others ofordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for variousembodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particularuse contemplated.

Thus, although illustrative example embodiments have been describedherein with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to beunderstood that this description is not limiting and that various otherchanges and modifications may be affected by one skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An air conditioner, comprising: a compressor; acondenser; an evaporator; and one or more flexible lines connecting twoor more of the compressor, condenser, and the evaporator to place theminto fluid communication with one another.
 2. The air conditioner ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more flexible lines comprise rubber.
 3. Theair conditioner of claim 2, wherein the one or more flexible linescomprise insulated rubber.
 4. The air conditioner of claim 1, where theone or more flexible lines comprise a fitting at least at one end. 5.The air conditioner of claim 4, where the fitting is complementary to afitting of one or more of the compressor, evaporator, and condenser. 6.The air conditioner of claim 5, wherein the complementary fitting is oneof threaded and snapped on.
 7. The air conditioner of claim 1, whereinthe one or more flexible lines comprise a suction line and a dischargeline.
 8. A method including: providing one or more fittings to one ormore of a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator of an airconditioner; and providing one or more flexible lines to place the oneor more of the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator into fluidcommunication with a respective other of the compressor, the condenser,and the evaporator.
 9. The method of claim 8, comprising: removing acopper tubing connecting to one or more of the compressor, a condenserand an evaporator of an air conditioner; and replacing the copper tubingwith the one or more flexible lines.
 10. The method of claim 8, whereinthe one or more flexible lines comprise rubber.
 11. The method of claim10, wherein the one or more flexible lines comprise insulated rubber.12. The method of claim 8, where the one or more flexible lines comprisea fitting at least at one end.
 13. The method of claim 12, where thefitting is complementary to a fitting of one or more of the compressor,evaporator, and condenser.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein thecomplementary fitting is one of threaded and snapped on.
 15. The methodof claim 8, wherein the one or more flexible lines comprise a suctionline and a discharge line.
 16. A kit, comprising: a set of one or moreflexible lines; and one or more fittings attachable to one or more of:(a) the one or more flexible lines; and (b) a component of an airconditioner.
 17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the set of one or moreflexible lines comprise a suction line and a discharge line.
 18. The kitof claim 17, wherein the one or more flexible lines comprise rubber. 19.The kit of claim 18, wherein the one or more flexible lines compriseinsulated rubber.
 20. The kit of claim 16, wherein the one or morefittings are configured to releasably attach to the component of the airconditioner, the component comprising one or more of a condenser, acompressor, an evaporator, and copper tubing.